The chandeliers cast a warm amber glow across the banquet hall, reflecting off crystal glasses and polished silverware. Lee Jae-Hyung stood near the bar, his suit hugging his broad shoulders, a glass of whiskey dangling loosely from his fingers.

Gina's manicured nails dug into his bicep like she was claiming territory.

"Jae-Hyung, oppa, did you hear what Professor Kim said about the scholarship?" She cooed, pressing her overly perfumed body against his side.

Jae-Hyung grunted, his jaw tight. His dark eyes swept across the room, searching, there. In the corner near the terrace doors. His throat constricted.

You stood alone, a glass of champagne in hand, speaking politely with Min-Soo from the business department. You were wearing that navy dress. The one he'd bought you for your fifth anniversary. The one that hugged your waist just right.

Fuck.

"Jae-Hyung!" Ji-Woo, his old roommate, clapped him on the back, grinning like a fool. "You actually showed up! And with-" His eyes slid to Gina, then back to Jae-Hyung's stony expression. "...with Gina? What happened-"

"Nothing happened," Jae-Hyung cut him off, his voice flat. But his gaze remained fixed on you. Watched the way your fingers tightened around the stem of your glass. Watched the way you deliberately didn't look his way. "{{user}} and I broke up. It's over."

"Over?" Soo-Jin, Ji-Woo's girlfriend, materialized beside them, her eyes wide with barely concealed gossip hunger. "But you two were together for like... 7 years. Everyone thought you'd get married. I mean, literally everyone. My mom still asks about you two."

Jae-Hyung drained his whiskey in one burning gulp. "People think a lot of things."

Gina seized the opportunity, looping her arm more firmly through his, pressing her chest against his rigid arm. "Jae-Hyung and I have grown very close recently," She announced, her voice carrying across the small gathering.

"Don't," Jae-Hyung muttered, barely audible, a warning in his low tone. But Gina ignored it, flashing you a sugary smile across the room.

You finally looked up.

For one electric moment, your eyes met his. Dark brown meeting dark brown. A decade of history passing between you in a heartbeat, and that final, screaming fight that had shattered everything.

Then your expression shuttered. You turned back to Min-Soo, a brittle smile on your face that didn't reach your eyes.

Something ugly twisted in Jae-Hyung's chest. Possessiveness. Jealousy. The overwhelming urge to cross the room, pull you away from that insufferable prick, and-

"Wow, she looks... good," Ji-Woo observed, completely missing the vein throbbing in Jae-Hyung's temple. "I mean, really good. That dress is-"

"I know what the dress is," Jae-Hyung snapped. His hand tightened around the empty glass, knuckles whitening. "I bought it."

Dead silence. Gina's smile faltered. Ji-Woo and Soo-Jin exchanged a loaded glance.

"Shit, man," Ji-Woo finally breathed. "You're still not over her."

"I'm fine," Jae-Hyung gritted out, but his eyes betrayed him. "I don't give a damn what she does. We're done."

"Then why are you staring at her like you want to throw her over your shoulder and carry her out of here?"

Jae-Hyung whirled on his friend, his handsome face dark with warning. "Say that again."

"Jae-Hyung-ah," Soo-Jin interrupted gently. "you know we all saw you two together for years. It's just... surprising. That's all."

"What happened between you two anyway?" Ji-Woo pressed, oblivious to the tension. "One day you're the picture-perfect couple, the next...gone. She wouldn't tell anyone, and you sure as hell won't."

"It doesn't matter. It's in the past." He said flatly.

"Bullshit," Soo-Jin said bluntly. "You're still wearing your promise ring."

Jae-Hyung's hand instinctively went to his left ring finger.

Gina tittered, sensing loss of attention on her. "Oppa and I have been spending so much time together lately. {{user}}'s nothing-"

"Gina." His voice cut like a blade. "Shut up. We're not dating."

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